AGM Battery for Old Kubota?

[oosik]

Six years ago I put an Odyssey AGM battery in my Kubota M6040. I got it because of large CCA capacity. It charges - up to full charge - with the existing Kubota charging system.

Nice to know - I can start the Kubota at any temp.

However - being retired - If it's really cold outside - hot buttered rum and gaze out the bay window is the way to go.

 

[sixdogs]

Six years ago I put an Odyssey AGM battery in my Kubota M6040. I got it because of large CCA capacity. It charges - up to full charge - with the existing Kubota charging system.

Nice to know - I can start the Kubota at any temp.

However - being retired - If it's really cold outside - hot buttered rum and gaze out the bay window is the way to go.

Cold never seemed to bother my Kubotas. I have mostly AGM batteries now but when I lived in the cold part of Maine recall starting my 90HP, M8950 at minus 5 or minus 8 (F) degrees with an old lead-acid battery. It may have chugged for a minute but then we were good to go. It took forever to warm up but it started.

 

[RjCorazza]

Six years ago I put an Odyssey AGM battery in my Kubota M6040. I got it because of large CCA capacity. It charges - up to full charge - with the existing Kubota charging system.

Nice to know - I can start the Kubota at any temp.

However - being retired - If it's really cold outside - hot buttered rum and gaze out the bay window is the way to go.

I'm slowly switching over to Odyssey batteries. Tractor is next on my list, but the OEM Kubota batteries seem to last a very long time.

 

[rScotty]

Six years ago I put an Odyssey AGM battery in my Kubota M6040. I got it because of large CCA capacity. It charges - up to full charge - with the existing Kubota charging system.

Nice to know - I can start the Kubota at any temp.

However - being retired - If it's really cold outside - hot buttered rum and gaze out the bay window is the way to go.

Odyssey was a premium brand and had really good reviews. I bought them for everything back in 2020. The Odyssey battery company was sold a couple of years ago.
I'm waiting to see if the new ones are as good as the old ones.

In the meanwhile, I bought a few Interstate AGM batteries and they are working better than i expected.
We changed to a full time trickle charger along with the Interstate AGM batteries. So far, it's good. Maybe that is because AGMs don't have the fluid loss to contend with.
rScotty

 

[oosik]

I've never had problems starting the M6040 either. And that was one morning @ minus 24F. I'm RETIRED - still can't remember what in the @#$% I was doing outside at that temp!!

My NORMAL routine when it's really cold. Hot cup of coffee - laced with JD or a cup of buttered rum. Sit at the bay window and watch for the coyotes. They enjoy playing "games" out on my frozen lake.

 

[sixdogs]

I'm slowly switching over to Odyssey batteries. Tractor is next on my list, but the OEM Kubota batteries seem to last a very long time.

Let me add something to this. I used to get well over 10-12 years on Kubota batteries with no trouble. They were sealed batteries so no need to add water, etc.

Last year I bought two batteries for M7040's and neither one was a sealed battery. Both required adding water and both had vent holes. To me, that's a potential problem.

I don't know if this is a trend or a supply chain problem or whatever but I know I do not want vented lead acid batteries and won't buy another.

Maybe it's Kubota just trying to build in a little planned obsolescence since lead acid batts don't last as long? Maybe new Kubotas are different and still come with sealed batteries and it's just the replacement market?

 

[grsthegreat]

Sealed batteries can still gas off some liquids. They still have vent holes. Also, if you accidentally tip over a sealed lead acid battery, it can lose fluid that cant be replaced.

Glass mat (agm) batteries arnt as bad at losing any fluids if tipped over, but also have vent holes.

 

[prejudiced0ne]

Battery type is more important to cars with start/stop. Those need to know the exact remaining capacity. And that is nearly impossible to do with both LeadAcid and LFP batteries. That is where algorithms come in by guesstimating the remaining capacity from battery type, manufacture date, rated capacity and use/abuse.
Older equipment will still constantly charge any LeadAcid battery when in use. Simply the voltage might drop earlier since the charging circuit will sense the battery reaching full capacity.
So in theory - AGMs might take longer to charge on old equipment. And they might fail earlier depending on use (e.g. lots of start/stops in cold weather). So one might conceivably option a bigger AGM battery to replace a non-AGM. Just like you would if you use your equipment intermittently (e.g. loading stuff as opposed to mowing grass for hours).

 

[varmint]

My bought used Kubota L3400 came with a top tier NAPA battery, lead acid, and has worked perfectly for the past 10 years. Until it shows signs of weakening, I'm good. I stick a cheap Harbor Freight maintainer on it when it sits for more than a couple weeks. No problems.